The Talmud in Pesachim (22b) says that the word ,t is mentioned to include Torah scholars among those who should be feared). The Rebbe of Kotzk Zt”l remarked that this can be interpreted to teach us that even Torah scholars are included in the obligation to fear Hashem. One should not reason that it is enough to possess an extra-ordinary amount of scholarship and this will protect a person from any form of evil-doing. This is a great misconception. For one must always maintain himself in awe and fear of Hashem’s greatness and power. Indeed, the fear of Hashem should increase with the depth of knowledge and volume of scholarship.
